Brown School News
Back to School Edition 2021
Excitement is in the air around Brown School. Our hallways are sparkling, our bulletin boards are fresh, our name tags are labeled, and now we just need our eager learners!
Our staff can hardly wait to welcome our new and returning students, as well as their families, to the 2021-22 school year. In fact, we will be hosting several family events next week to kick-off our year together. We hope that you will be able to join us (please see the descriptions and details below).
We look forward to working collaboratively as partners in your child's educational journey. Thank you for your continued commitment to our amazing school community.
Best,
Kristen BawksPrincipal
Andrew Pratley
Assistant Principal
2021-2022 Attendance Times
8:20 a.m. Students Enter Building
8:30 a.m. Tardy Bell Rings
3:50 p.m. Dismissal
Students enter at 9:20 a.m. on late start days
Half Days Dismissal is at 12:09 p.m.
Our 2021-22 Family Calendar was included in your child's Back to School packet and is also available here for your reference.
Drop-Off Times & Procedures
Like last school year, students will enter the building according to the maps below and head directly to his/her classroom, no earlier than 8:20 a.m. (9:20 a.m. on late start days). This is to support the smooth transition to the start of the school day. Please note that we will not gather on the playground before school begins.
Students may not be dropped off prior to 8:20 a.m. (9:20 a.m. on late start days) as there will not be before school supervision available.
If you have children in multiple grade levels, please determine which location is best for your family. You will only need to go to one spot for drop-off and pick-up.
* Due to federal mandate, all students and staff must wear a mask while riding on the school bus/van.
Our Return to Learn Plan requires that all students, staff members, and visitors wear a mask while inside the school environment, regardless of vaccination status, at this time. Please keep in mind that all masks must cover the face from the the top of the nose to under the chin. Masks must be taken home and washed daily. Thank you for your cooperation.
Getting to Know Our Learners
We want to learn about your child in advance of beginning our year together. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey linked below prior to the start of the school year. Thank you!
First Week of School Transportation Plans
Please share your child’s after school plans for the first week of school with us by clicking here and completing a brief form. This will help our staff make sure that your child gets to the right locations safely.
If plans change during and/or after the first week of school, please communicate changes with your child’s teacher and the school office. If your child will be riding a bus, please make sure you complete the Transportation Department Form linked below as well.
Thank you for your help!
Phase-In Plan for Young Fives & Kindergarten Students ONLY
We will have a phase-in schedule for our Young Fives & Kindergarten students during the first week of school. This approach will afford us the opportunity to practice routines and procedures in a smaller group and with more specificity. Additionally, it will provide the opportunity to offer additional support to our youngest students in their transition to school. 
Transportation Arrangements for Dismissal
If your child is planning to ride the bus this year, please be sure that you complete the Transportation Ridership Survey as soon as possible. We will not have families complete the yellow ridership cards this year.
Bus Routes are posted on our Brown School page of the district's website.
You will need to determine the stop closest to your home for pick-up and drop-off for all students in Young Fives through 5th grade. If you have additional transportation needs, please contact Sara Petrosius, SJPS Transportation Director, at spetrosius@sjschools.org or 269-926-3900.
Your child’s safety is a top priority for us! Backpack bus tags will be distributed at both the Y5/K orientation and the Ice Cream Social events (if the above form was completed in advance). Thank you for your patience the first few days of school as our drivers work to welcome new riders, establish routines, and double check student names. Also, please note that routes tend to run a little longer the first few weeks of school.
Bus Routes are posted on our Brown School page of the district's website.
You will need to determine the stop closest to your home for pick-up and drop-off for all students in Young Fives through 5th grade. If you have additional transportation needs, please contact Sara Petrosius, SJPS Transportation Director, at spetrosius@sjschools.org or 269-926-3900.
Your child’s safety is a top priority for us! Backpack bus tags will be distributed at both the Y5/K orientation and the Ice Cream Social events (if the above form was completed in advance). Thank you for your patience the first few days of school as our drivers work to welcome new riders, establish routines, and double check student names. Also, please note that routes tend to run a little longer the first few weeks of school.
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| If you or another adult plans to pick your child up from school at least once per week, click on the link below to register for a rear-view mirror tag. Tags will be required for pick-up ONLY in our main office parking lot this year. If you pick your child up at the Y5/K door or the 4th/5th grade door, you do not need to complete the form. Pick-Up Mirror Tag Form |
Playground Update
Great news! Our walking track and blacktop areas around the playground have been resurfaced. It is looking great out there! Sadly, our main equipment has not arrived yet as the company is experiencing supply chain issues. We look forward to its arrival soon.
Volunteers Welcome!
We are looking forward to welcome volunteers back into our learning environment this school year. You have been missed! In order to visit our classrooms, you must have a background check on file annually. If you anticipate joining us throughout out the school year, please complete the form linked here and return it to our school office.
Please note that it may take up to 30 days to allow for approval prior to working with our students. Thank you!
Crosswalks for Safety
For everyone's safety, please use extra caution as you approach the crosswalks in the school parking lot. In effort to keep the traffic flowing, DO NOT park along the grass next to the parking lot as indicated by signage.
For everyone's safety, please use extra caution as you approach the crosswalks in the school parking lot. In effort to keep the traffic flowing, DO NOT park along the grass next to the parking lot as indicated by signage.
Renee Carle and Beth Mosher will team up to support our learners as special education parapros at Brown School. Welcome to the team!
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| Beth Mosher |
Renee Carle
Welcome back to the on-site Kindergarten classroom, Mrs. DeLapa!
Mrs. Hooker has joined Ms. Grimm & Ms. Zelenock in second grade this year. They will make a dynamic team!
Mrs. DeVore will teach fourth grade this year with Mr. Hernandez and Mrs. Hassenger. What lucky students!
Mrs. Szornyi will continue to cheerfully welcome our students and wish them farewell every day in the car line. In addition, she will also join Mrs. Punches in the kitchen each and everyday!
Ms. Pagel will join our elementary Physical Education team after many years of teaching and coaching at Lake Michigan Catholic. Welcome to SJPS!
We are delighted to welcome Ms. Mac and Mrs. Huber back to Brown School this year! Our itinerant team will consist of all of the experts - Mr. Pfahler & Ms. Pagel (P.E.), Mrs. Warsow & Mrs. Huber (Art), Ms. McElroy (a.k.a. Ms. Mac) & Mrs. Richards (Music), and Mrs. Bacolor & Mrs. Appel (Media/Technology).
Mr. Pratley has joined Mrs. Bawks in the office, supporting students and partnering with families as the Assistant Principal. Welcome to Brown School!
Young Fives & Kindergarten Orientation is
Tuesday, August 31st!
We look forward to welcoming our youngest students and their families for Young Fives/Kindergarten Orientation on August 31st from 5:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. at Brown School. This event was specially created for our youngest learners and their families in order to provide a combined Back to School Night & Ice Cream Social experience prior to the start of the school year. During this orientation event, you will have the opportunity to explore the building on a self-guided tour together, with informational programming beginning in the gym at 6:00 for adults. At this time, your child will experience their first classroom "carpet time" with their teacher, as well as a treat on the playground and bus exploration.
Ice Cream Social 2021
New Family Meet & Greet
Prior to the start of the Ice Cream Social on September 1st, we will open our school doors at 5:00 p.m. to welcome all of our new 1st - 5th grade students and their families to tour the school and have your questions answered by our PTO Executive Board and our building leaders. We hope that you will join us!
Emergency Contact Information
Please take a moment to update and sign your child's emergency information form that was mailed to you in your Back to School packet. This should be sent to school the first day your child attends.
Please take a moment to update and sign your child's emergency information form that was mailed to you in your Back to School packet. This should be sent to school the first day your child attends.
Please note that address changes require a proof of residency. See Sara Codde in the school office if you have recently moved.
Attention Families New to Brown School:
All enrollment/registration materials need to be complete before the school year begins. If you still need to upload your child’s birth certificate, immunization record, physical, hearing/vision tests, or your proof of residency, please do so as soon as possible. Your child cannot attend school until the record is complete.
School Supplies
St. Joseph Public Schools will provide your child with all necessary materials for school. If you would like to provide additional supplies, we would suggest the items listed by grade level below.
Attention Families New to Brown School:
All enrollment/registration materials need to be complete before the school year begins. If you still need to upload your child’s birth certificate, immunization record, physical, hearing/vision tests, or your proof of residency, please do so as soon as possible. Your child cannot attend school until the record is complete.
School Supplies
St. Joseph Public Schools will provide your child with all necessary materials for school. If you would like to provide additional supplies, we would suggest the items listed by grade level below.
National School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Breakfast
FREE Grab-n-go bagged breakfast will be offered daily in the cross halls from 8:20 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. again this year. There is no need to sign up for breakfast in advance, we will be sure there is plenty for all.
Lunch
Student lunches are free again this year! We do ask that you sign up for your child's lunch choice in advance. Please click here to learn more about setting up your child's lunch online account.
Breakfast
FREE Grab-n-go bagged breakfast will be offered daily in the cross halls from 8:20 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. again this year. There is no need to sign up for breakfast in advance, we will be sure there is plenty for all.
Lunch
Student lunches are free again this year! We do ask that you sign up for your child's lunch choice in advance. Please click here to learn more about setting up your child's lunch online account.
Students will eat lunch with their cohort group in the lunchroom this year. We have established three lunch periods to ensure space and to create a more peaceful experience for our students. Every grade level will have their very own adult supervisor daily who will also travel with them to lunch recess!
If you have any questions please contact the Food Service Director, Demrhy
Youngquist at 926-3127 or by email dyoungquist@sjschools.org.
Our PTO Welcomes You
To our Brown School Families,
Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! Whether you are a returning family or new to our community, please let me extend a warm welcome on behalf of the Brown Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
The mission of the Brown PTO is to support the educational and social needs of our students, partner with our teachers and staff, as well as promote communication between the administration, staff, families and the community. Accomplishing this goal takes the volunteerism of many, and we are very pleased to have a strong PTO Executive Board ready to lead and meet the challenges we find in our school and community today.
As a family with a student at Brown, you are automatically a member of the PTO. We would love for you to show your support by participating in the events and activities planned throughout the year. In addition to events, we invite you to attend our monthly PTO meetings. Your time and involvement is essential to a strong and vibrant school community.
We also encourage you to join our private Facebook group - Brown Elementary PTO and look for PTO updates in the PTO Corner of the weekly blog.
Thank you for all that you do for our Brown Bears! We are looking forward to a year of growth and excitement in learning together.
Brown School PTO Board
President - Sheri Baker
Vice President - Brandi Johnson
Secretary - Jessamyn Calderwood
Treasurer - Robin Lawrence
Contact us at:
brownelementarysj.pto@gmail.com
We have enjoyed seeing the many posts of our summer learning champions hard at work, exhibiting their many character strengths, posted on our Brown Elementary Facebook page throughout the summer. Please have your child return his/her signed Summer Learning Challenge paperwork during the first week of school. We can hardly wait to pass out medals again this year!Contact Us!
We are here to partner with you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to our school office at 269-926-3500.
When calling school to report your child's absence, please press 1. Calls related to attendance are required prior to 8:30 a.m.
The school office is open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. during the school year. Please leave a message if calling after hours. You may also reach office staff via email:
kbawks@sjschools.org
Andrew Pratley, Assistant Principal
apratley@sjschools.org
Sara Codde, School Secretary
Sara Codde, School Secretary
scodde@sjschools.org
Looking for fall activities to enroll your child in? Check out local offerings by visiting our Community Corkboard.
PHEW...that was a lot of information. Here's a recap of what we'd love for your family to complete as soon as possible:
- Transportation Ridership Survey (daily or occasional bus riders only)
- Pick-Up Mirror Tag Survey (main office pick-up car riders only)
- First Week of School Transportation Form (all students)
- Getting to Know You Form (all students)
- If applicable, please complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application linked here.
It is the policy of the St. Joseph Public School District that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, disability, height, weight, or marital status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to, discrimination during any program, activity, service or in employment.
